2024 Milwaukee crime data; homicides down 39% in 1st quarter of year

MPD: Homicides down 39% so far this year

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Office of Violence Prevention Director Ashanti Hamilton presented the city's crime numbers for the first three months of 2024.

MILWAUKEE - We are only three complete months into 2024 and Milwaukee officials say overall, crime is down across the city.

With the first quarter review, Milwaukee police say homicides have decreased 39% – down to 23 from 38 this time in 2023. Property crime is down 11%. Auto thefts are down 10% – down to 1,295 from 1,431 this time in 2023.

"Overall, our year is off to a positive start. But as I said before, MPD cannot take full credit when crime goes down. Nor do you own all the blame when crime goes up," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "We are collectively responsible for the well-being of our community."

2024 Milwaukee crime data

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Office of Violence Prevention Director Ashanti Hamilton, on Tuesday, April 16 will present the city's crime numbers for the first three months of 2024.

Police point to help from the community, the hard work of the police department and the Office of Community Wellness and Safety.

"We're at a stage now where we know that the level of partnership and community partnerships and institutional partnerships across the board, is having an impact in the community," said Ashanti Hamilton, Director for the Office of Community Wellness and Safety.

Ashanti Hamilton

While the numbers are positive, in 2023, a larger share of the total homicide and shooting victims were children. That is something city officials say they are keeping an eye on – and working on interrupting.

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"There are a number of organizations all throughout Milwaukee that want to serve our young people. So the hand is extended. We need young people in their families to extend the hand back, to be engaged in a positive manner this summer and every single summer," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

Chief Norman said the police department's homicide clearance rate is at more than 80% so far in 2024. The chief attributes officers and detectives having less work on their plate to dedicate to those more serious crimes.

In 2024 compared to 2023:

Crashes remained the same at 3,415 in 2024 compared to 3,423 in 2023
Hit-and-run crashes decreased 1% (1,258) from (1,269)
Fatalities decreased 44% (9) from (16)

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'We've got every reason to applaud the latest numbers across the board. Milwaukee is headed in the right direction when it comes to crime. But now is certainly no time to relax," said Mayor Johnson.